957MEDICAL DIARY.-EDITORIAL NOTICES.-MANAGER’S NOTICES.

DEATH-RATE IN THE FIJI ISLANDS.

THE report for 1916 of the medical department of the FijiLegislative Council, signed by the chief medical officer,Dr. G.W. A. Lynch, shows the same striking decrease in thedeath-rate of all sections of the population which is

apparent in other parts of the Empire. In a scatteredcolony where registration is not yet perfect the figures asgiven are not claimed to possess absolute accuracy ; but thesteady decline in the yearly rates since 1912 is encouraging,and the present rate is a very low one for a tropicalcountry.

Race. 1912. 1915. 1916.

Race. Per 1000. Per,10)0. Per 1000.Europeans ......... 10’5 ...... 9-1 ...... 7.9Fijians ............ 31’3 ...... 283 ...... 25-1Indians ............ 165 5 ...... 106 ...... 8-7All races............ 24’6 ...... 204 ...... 17’5

It should be added that the birth-rate has also declined,although not in the same ratio.

THE STUDY OF ENVIRONMENT.OPPORTUNITIES in the past for the study of the social factorin disease have not been too abundant for the medicalstudent, and the Student Christian Movement is proposingto supply the need in a Social Study School for MedicalStudents, to be held at Mansfield House, Canning Town,London, E., from Jan. 4th-7th next. The express purposeof the school is to put before medical students the extentand gravity of the problems of poverty, their relations toone another, and effect on health and character. Visits tofactories, docks, and street markets have been arranged,and addresses on various social subjects will be given byMr. P. I. Watkin, Dr. Jane Walker, Mr. Harry Roberts,Dr. Sidney Davies, and Dr. S. R. Gloyne. A charge of £ 15s.covers board and lodging at Mansfield House, and applica-tion for registration should be made to Mr. Hugh Martin,M.A., Annandale, North End-road, London, N.W. 3.

MEDICAL INVENTORS.Dr. S. D. Clippingdale writes: The interesting list ofmedical inventors you give in your issue of Dec. 15th(p. 916) is capable of expansion :-

Peter Chamberlen, inventor of the midwifery forceps, who had acraze for inventing, produced the following: (1) carriages to gowithout wheels; (2) an apparatus for navigating vessels in a straightline in all winds ; (3) a form of printing which would " represent tothe eye what sound does to the ear"; (4) a reformed orthography ofthe English language.Dr. Timothy Bright, in 1588, invented shorthand.Sir William Petty, Charles IL’s physician, invented a boat with

two keels, an invention which excited the risibility of both theking and Pepys the diarist. N.B.-It was Petty’s daughter who, bymarrying into the Lansdowne family, brought into that family theonly wisdom it ever possessed (according to the family historian,Lord Edmund Fitz-Maurice).Dr. John Allen, of Bridgwater, obtained in 1730 letters-patent for

three inventions-viz., (1) a method for navigating a vessel in a calm,(2) an engine for raising water by means of fire, (3) a new method ofdrying malt. He also invented a chariot upon steel springs whichcould travel " sixty miles a day without being overturned."Dr. David Bridges, of Hull, invented (circa 1780) spermacetti

candles.Dr. Neil Arnott, about 1832, invented the water-bed, a ventilating

chimney, and a smokeless grate.Dr. Battie, of Marlow, introduced traction of barges by horses

instead of by men. In building his own house, however, Dr. Battleforgot the staircase !Dr. Richard Gatling, in 1861, invented the Gatling gun.Dr. Joseph Ignatius Gui’lotin is saidito have invented the decapi-

tating instrument which bears his name.Lastly, ,Francis Moore, Physician," was the orginator of that

prescient periodical, 11 Old Moore’s Almanack."

COMMENDABLE HYGIENE.A WORD of acknowledgment is due to the authorities of theLondon Underground system of railways for their prompti-tude in making their stations clean and sweet after use asair-raid shelter.

Medical Diary for the ensuing Week.LECTURES, ADDRESSES, DEMONSTRATIONS, &c.POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE. West London Hospital, Hammersmith-road, W.MONDAY.-2 P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinios. X Rays. Mr. Gray: e

Operations. Mr. B. Harman: Diseases of the Bye. Dr. Simeon:Diseases of Women.

THURSDAY.—2P.M., Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays. Mr. Gray:Operations. Mr. B. Harman: Diseases of the Eye.

FRIDAY.-1O A.M., Dr. Simson: Gynaecological Operations. 2 P.M.,Medical and Surgical Clinics. X Rays. Mr. Baldwin : Opera-tions. Dr. Banks Davis : Diseases of the Throat, Nose, and Bar.Dr. Pemet: Diseases of the Skin.

SATURDAY.-1O A.M., Dr. Arthur Saunders : Diseases of Children. Dr.Banks Davis. Operations of the Throat, Nose, and Bar. Mr. B.Harman: Eye Operations. 2 P..., Medical and Surgical Clinies.X Rays. Mr. Pardoe: Operations.

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